Refine Woodwork Reviews

Suresh Govind 2024.12.02

     

I recently undertook a 5 session basic woodworking course with Garath. I can truly say that it was thoroughly enjoyable and informative. Garath has a very good teaching style involving both showing and explaining but also allowing the student to make mistakes and learn from them. Throughout it all he's always supportive and encouraging. I can honestly say that if you have ever considered woodworking, Garath would be the best teacher to ignite the interest into a passion.

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Shuang YAN 2024.11.01

     

I had a fantastic experience with Gareth. He explains things exceptionally well, making everything clear and easy to understand. During the taster session, I learned to use a variety of tools and even got to bring home a beautifully crafted box that I’m thrilled with. Highly recommended for anyone looking to learn new skills!

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Jack Salt 2024.09.06

     

My wife and I had a taster session with Gareth - both of us complete beginners but we thoroughly loved the day and successfully made a mortise and tenon joint. Gareth made us feel relaxed in his work shop and he had a great way of explaining and teaching through the day. Would definitely recommend and would like to return myself in the future.

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Alaa Sadek 2024.08.09

     

I thoroughly enjoyed the joints course with Gareth. He is highly committed to providing comprehensive information and ensuring that you gain a good understanding. If you’re looking to learn woodworking using hand tools, Gareth’s course is an excellent place to start

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Derek McAllister 2024.07.16

     

Excellent service, excellent product. We had several consultations with Gareth discussing shape, style, material etc to ensure we knew exactly what we wanted, and that we were able to articulate it clearly. After each session Gareth provided us diagrams and drawings showing how the piece would come together. Throughout the whole process Gareth was highly communicative, and eager to ensure that the product he was supplying was both of excellent quality whilst giving us value for money. I am delighted to say that the finished piece is wholly excellent - I am most pleased. Well done.

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Miles Sneath 2024.05.24

     

I booked the beginner taster day and was at ease as soon as I met Gareth. The day was excellent and exceeded expectations. Gareth is patient, explains everything well, and goes into good detail about each aspect of what he was teaching, so I learnt a lot. I got to use quite a few of the hand tool, which is exactly what is needed for a taster day. I got to make a nice box as well. Can’t think of any criticisms.

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James Hayday 2024.05.22

     

I couldn't recommend Gareth enough! I took his 5 session introduction to joints lessons and found it really useful and fun. Gareth has a wonderful little workshop, a really good instructor style and was incredibly patient and informative with all the questions we had. Plus he's a lovely and easy going bloke which made the sessions great fun. I credit him with kick-starting my woodworking journey and I will certainly be back to work with him again!

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ian smith 2024.05.18

     

Gareth is very patient and encouraging in his approach to the lessons .I ve learnt loads about wood and the best ways to work with it to get good results. I would fully encourage anyone to have a go with the woodwork joints course not only did I learn about woodwork but also about myself and building confidence in life. I was given the opportunity to be on the course from a birthday present and it has had a positive and fundamental impact on my life. If you have a chance go for it.

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James Clark 2024.04.29

     

I received the woodwork taster session as a gift. This was the first time I had used many of the tools, but Gareth was patient and an excellent teacher. A thoroughly enjoyable day, that I would highly recommend.

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ian robinson 2024.03.25

     

Very informative and tailored to my requests, very personable

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Ian J 2024.02.21

     

I attended Gareth's Joints Course having not done any real woodworking since woodwork classes at school over 40 yeras ago. It was a very enjoyable and instructive course delivered by a tutor who is knowledgeable, a good teacher and clearly on top of his subject! I heartily recommend it to anyone interested in improving or getting some woodworking skills.

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Steve Wain 2023.11.08

     

If you’re thinking about approaching Gareth for wood working lessons / advice just do it now!!! I went to see Gareth as a complete novice who got the bug during lockdown. Gareth guided me step by step in making a tool box incorporating finger joints and mortice and tenon joints. He is friendly, welcoming and encouraging and has the ability to explain everything very clearly. He is happy to work at your pace and is more than willing to offer advice on anything you are thinking of buying and provide appropriate guidance. If I wasn’t moving to Leeds I would be back for more. I had a fantastic time and our two and half hour sessions on a Friday just flew by. Signed - a more confident woodworker - thanks.

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Caroline Cooke 2023.11.06

     

Gareth listened really carefully to what we required, then made a sketch to check dimensions with us to be sure we were happy. The finished product, a ‘floating’ bed is exactly what we wanted. Gareth made sure that it was really sturdy and even installed it. He pays attention to detail to create a perfect product. We are very pleased with the result and highly recommend him.

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Bob and Wendy Reeves 2023.11.05

     

I have had a few very enjoyable mornings working in Gareth's well-equipped and calm workshop in Ruddington. Gareth provided lots of practical help and advice on the mortice and tenons that I need to master for a DIY project. Equally useful was the fact that he could answer my hundreds of random questions about tools, tool sharpening, wood selection etc. He also made me a fantastic mitre block to help with my project and brought my tired old chisels and plane back to life. All in all, a very satisfying experience and great value for money. Thanks Gareth.

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Julian Eve 2023.09.02

     

Gareth is a skilled Gentleman Carpenter. The commission to create two table extensions was done expertly and precisely and will enable a large extended family to eat together well and in style - thank you - a great job well executed.

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Harry Mold 2023.07.08

     

I recently completed Gareth's basic joints course. The course was fantastic. Gareth was an excellent teacher, patient and informative. The course has given me a number of skills that I feel I could now take into my own projects. Gareth answered all the questions I had (however silly!) in each session and really went out of his way to make the experience worthwhile. I would really recommend!

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Reply from Refine Woodwork 2023.07.11

Thanks for the great review. I hope you will have the time over the summer to put some of the skills you've learnt into practice. Feel free to give me a call if you need anything more.

joe shorney 2023.04.11

     

I spent a day with Gareth to boost my experience and learn new techniques. I thoroughly recommend to anyone looking to development new woodworking skills. Thanks again Gareth and I look forward to developing my skills further with you.

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Rachel Shock 2023.04.10

     

I was looking for someone to get me started with the basic principles of woodwork. I couldn’t have found anyone better. Gareth talked me through his basic joints course, always patient and knowledgeable. I came away with the skills to start having a go by myself. I would highly recommend Gareth.

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Paul O'Brien 2023.02.17

     

Excellent craftsmanship and a wonderful finished product.

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Alexandra Lucas 2022.08.06

     

I commissioned Gareth to make me 10 custom weaving loom kits and they came out just as I wanted! Great communication, patience and overall so pleased. I would wholeheartedly recommend Gareth for any custom wooden creations - he’s fab. Thank you!

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